The New England Patriots have several key defensive pieces entering the final year of their contracts this season. Defensive end Jabaal Sheard, outside linebacker Jamie Collins and cornerback Malcolm Butler have all earned new contracts with the team. So too did pass-rusher Chandler Jones, which is why the Patriots traded him to the Arizona Cardinals earlier this offseason. With the money saved by that move, the patriots hope to re-sign their core defensive players. But before they get to the above trio, they should focus on resigning linebacker Don't'a Hightower.
Hightower, New England's first round pick in 2012, was named an All-Pro by Pro Football Focus in 2014. Though he isn't quite the playmaker that Jones is, he is a steady and consistent force for New England's improving defense. To his credit, he realizes the tough choices that lay ahead for the Patriots.
"It'd be hard saying you don't look at things like that, but obviously that's something that is going to happen in the back end," Hightower said earlier this year. "We're really enjoying what we've got right now. We're focused on the task at hand right now. Of course, that's something to talk about in the offseason or whatever. That time has its time. Right now, we're more focused on what we have in front of us."
So, how much will it cost to keep Hightower in New England?
Right now, Hightower's cap hit of $7.751 million is the fourth-highest on the team. Extending him this year could shave up to $5 million off that number for this season, depending on the structure of the deal. Will that happen? Probably not. But there's no denying that Hightower has been a highly valuable member of Bill Belichick's defense since entering the league, and that should get him paid.
He'll probably be looking for a deal similar to what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave linebacker Lavonte David: five years, $50.25 million. But after missing 10 games through his first four seasons, Hightower may not be able to command quite as much.
If the Pats gave him a five-year deal worth $40 to $45 million, with roughly $15 million in guaranteed money, all sides would likely agree that it's a fair deal. In that scenario, Hightower would become one of the five highest-paid 4-3 linebackers in the NFL (with wiggle room to negotiate considering he occasionally lines up as a 3-4 OLB) but still maintain a lower average annual value than Tom Brady.
In 54 career games, Hightower has recorded 307 total tackles with 14.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He's a guy that deserves an extension, especially if he's 100 percent healthy. What that extension will look like, however, remains to be seen.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
